Sweeper mechanism for use in bowling pin setting machines



Feb. 22, 1955 H M DOWD ETAL 2,702,706

swEEPER MECHANISM FOR USE IN BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Filed May 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS.

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Feb. 22, 1955 H. M. DOWD ETAL 2,702,706

SWEEPER MECHANISM FOR USE IN BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Filed May 24, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS.

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SWEEPEi? MECHANISM FOR USE IN BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHINES Filed May 24 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS. baa/M1 (QM BY @JA W 40m 4 44 flu/ 2 m United States Patent Gfifice 2,702,706 Patented Feb. 22,1955

SWEEPER MECHANISM FOR USE IN BOWLING PIN SETTING MACHlNES Howard M. Dowd, South Acton, and Royal L. Barrows, Salem, Mass.

Application May 24, 1951, Serial No. 228,006

12 Claims. (Cl. 27343) This invention relates to sweeper mechanism for use in a bowling pin setting machine, the purpose of which is to sweep the pin plate area of the alley, and its adjacent gutters free of pins or balls which may remain there, when it is desired to set up a new set of pins.

Bowling pin setting machines which automatically set up pins in a bowling alley, thus replacing the hand setting of the pins by a pin-boy, are now in commercial operation. Sweeper mechanisms of various sorts are commonly provided with such bowling pin setting machines, but they have not been satisfactory for a number of reasons.

Our sweeper mechanism is designed to overcome the problems, disadvantages and defects of the previous devices of this nature. It is intended to be capable of use with simpie adjustment, with any bowling-pin setting machine, and is not limited to use with any particular machine.

Among the advantages of our present invention is its ease of installation in any bowling alley and with any bowling pin setting machine. It can be provided as a separate addition to any bowling-pin setting machine and separately powered, if desired. The alleys do not have to be uniform in size, or with parallel sides. The sweepers can be installed and taken out without reconstructing the alley. Other sweeper mechanisms have been located in vulnerable positions in the alley where they could be struck by balls or flying pins, and then damaged. Our sweeper mechanism, on the other hand, is located well above the floor of the alley and extends in front of the pin plate, where it cannot be damaged by flying balls or pins. Our sweeper, further, performs more efficiently and sweeps ofi split pins which frequently elude other mechanisms, and cannot tilt during the sweeping operation, and thereby be prevented from sweeping, as in some prior devices. Our mechanism can be manufactured, shipped and installed as an integral part of the bowling-pin setting machine, with consequent savings in handling. Further, in being positioned partly in front of the pin plate on the alley, our sweeper mechanism is much faster in operation than conventional sweepers because the neXt set of pins can be positioned on the alley by the setting machine when our sweeper is two-thirds of the way through its cycle of operation. The pin-setting machine can thus operate during the sweeper cycle, instead of after the completion of its cycle, as in conventional machines. This can reduce the time required for setting up a new set of pins on the alley more than 25%. In using our sweeper mechanism in the bowling pin setting machine of applicants design, for instance, the time required for setting up a new set of pins after the machine has been started is reduced from seconds to 11, a time saving of more than 25%.

Briefly our invention comprises, in combination with a bowling pin setting machine, a pair of parallel endless chains arranged in a suitable track and mounted over the pin plate section of the bowling alley, power means including sprockets for driving chains, the chains having a cycle of movement which includes a horizontal path at its rear portion and an upwardly inclined path at its front portion, and a sweeper carried by the chains and spanning the alley for sweeping the alley in gutters free of bowling pins and balls as it moves rearwardly over the alley.

Before explaining in detail the present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

Additional advantages and objects of our device will be apparent in the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical sectional view, partly in diagram, of a bowling pin setting machine equipped with the sweeper mechanism embodying our invention, and shown applied to a bowling alley;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1, with the sweeper mechanism in sweeping position;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section, substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on line 4-4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is a portion of Fig. 4, somewhat enlarged.

Fig. 6 is a portion of Fig. 5 shown somewhat enlarged and in more detail.

In the drawings a bowling pin setting machine is shown similar to that disclosed in our application Serial No. 87,646, filed April 15, 1949 and now abandoned. As stated above, the machine here shown is merely an illustration of how our sweeper mechanism can be applied to and used with a typical bowling pin setting machine. As here shown (Fig. l) S represents our sweeper mechanism in general applied to a bowling pin setting machine in which A represents the floor of the bowling alley, and A1 represents the pin plate section of the alley A on which the bowling pins P are positioned. It wil be understood that the sweeper mechanism S hereinafter described, will operate to sweep any standing or fallen pins or balls remaining on the alley or or in the gutters thereof onto the rotating turntable or distributor D provided in the pit 11 at the end of the alley. The ball return trough is represented at BR. Turntable or dis tributor D, rotated by motor M2 operates to distribute the pins P to the pin elevator E1 and the balls to the ball elevator E2 from which the balls are delivered to the ball return trough BR. The machine further includes a pin reservoir or collector R, the pin chutes or conduits C leading to the vertical positioning tubes T, through which the pins are accurately positioned on the pin plate section A1 of the alley A. The respective operating parts are preferably powered by individual motors, of which motor M1 drives the turntable or distributor D, motor M2 drives the pin elevator E1, M3 drives the ball elevator E2, M4 operates the pin reservoir R to direct the pins into the chutes C, motor M5 lowers and raises the positioning tubes T, and motor M6 operates the sweeper mechanism S.

Our sweeper mechanism generally indicated at S includes a pair of horizontally extending tracks or channel sections 10a and 12, 10a being the lower or operating track carrying the sweeper 25 and 10b being the return or upper track. The tracks 10a and b are preferably mounted on the opposite sides of the bowling pin setting machine which extends over the alley A and particularly its pin plate section A1. Suitably mounted adjacent the tracks 10:: are driving sprockets 12 intermediate sprockets 13a and 13b and reversing sprocket 14. It will be understood that driving sprockets 12 are driven in any suitable manner by any suitable power means, which in Flgs. 1 and 2, for illustration is shown to include a belt 15 and conventional shafts and reducing gears generally indicated at 16 in turn driven by motor M6. A pair of endless chains 20 are mounted on the sprockets 12, 13a, 13b, and 14 above the tracks 10a and 1% respec tively. The tracks 10a, and consequently the endless chains 2%, follow a horizontal path or track parallel to the bowling alley at its rear section, and incline upwardly and forwardly at its forward section. It will be noted that the chains 20 pass around the sprockets 13a and 1312 provided at the point of junction of the horizontal and inclined portions of the tracks 10a and b. The chain 20 is the conventional type of chain built and commonly 3 adapted-tobedriven by sprockets such as sprockets 12, 13-and.14.--

Each chain belt carries an outwardly extending pin or stub axle 21 upon which is rotatably mounted a hollow membenor studi23 carrying a-roller 26 adapted-to engage tie tracks 10a. and 10b during the horizontal movement ofthe sweeperI The sweeper 25 comprises a pair of arms 27 pivotally connected, attheir upper ends, to the pins or axles- 21- andconnected, near their lower ends, by a fixed crosspiece 28 which issecured to said arms by bolts 29 (Figs. 4 and 5). Another cross piece 39 which constitutes: the. sweeper board is. in turn mounted on the end ofvertical-arms27, and is'vertically movable. thereon, by means of bolts 31 intslots 32. Sweeper board. carries the downwardly extending paddle portions 30a which extend'. intothev gutters G of the alley, to clear the gutters fromany bowling pins or balls which may be let therein after bowling. The sweeper board 39 is made vertically movable so that if it descends upon any fallen pin, it will. be lifted up, rather than jammed against the pin as the sweeper 25 is moved rearwardly along the alley'during. itssweeping operation.

Means is provided for permitting the sweeper 25 to swing rearwardly toward the pit 11 (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2), but not forwardly more than a slight distance which includes pivoted angle iron members or shoes 35 pivoted to the hollow members or studs 23 mountedon the pins21 and provided with inwardly extending flanges 36 which ride on the tracks lfla and ltlb. Rods 38 are pivoted at their top ends in members 35 and'pass through slots 9 (Fig. 5) provided therefor in the upper ends of the arms 27, and carry on their lower ends nuts or enlargements 39 whichserve as abutments to stop the swinging of sweeper 25 forwardly more than the slight distance permitted by the length of rods 38, thereby preventing the sweeper 25 from being pushed away from the pit 11 (forwardly of the machine as shown in Fig. l) as it moves toward the rear of the machine on track 16a in the act of sweeping the alley and gutters free of bowling pins and balls. Deflectors 40 which comprise. inclined strips or flanges fixed to the vertical arms 27 of sweeper 25 serve to prevent the sweeper 25 from swinging rearwardly toward the pit 11 and hence jamming of the cross piece ZSagainst the underside of lower tracks 10a as the sweeper 25 passes the junction sprocket .lSb andstarts up the forwardly inclined portion of the track 10 in its counterclockwise movement.

A cam 42 (see Fig. 1) is carried on one of the chains 20 and a switch generally designated at 45 andcooperating with the cam.42 is provided on the side of the machine.v

This switch is a normally open switch which controls jthe operation of. the tubes T and is closed by the cam 42 as it passes the switch, thereby starting the mechanism which l'owersthe tubes T to the alley A to set up a new set of pins P on theyalleya It will be noted that this action occurs after the alley has been swept clear of bowling pins and'balls by the action of the sweeper 25,

and while the sweeper 25 is returning to its starting position at the top of the forwardly inclined portion of its travel, shown in Fig. 1. A second switch generally designated at 48 is a normally closed limit switch, which is opened by the cam.42 as it passes the switch 48, to open the circuit to the sweeper motor. M6 and to stop its movement, with the sweeper 25 remaining in its starting position as shown in Fig. 1.

It will be understood that in operation the movementof the sweeper mechanism is part of the operation of the bowling pin setting machine, and timed therewith; When the alley is to be'used the main switch 50 is closed.

'When the bowler desires a new set of bowling pins to be setup on the alley he presses his bowlers button generally designated at 52 provided at the bowlers end of the alley to setth'e machine in operation. This starts the sweeper motor. M6 through suitable relays, and sweeper 25 moves from its. starting position, shown in Fig. l, to its sweeping position as shown in Fig. 2 by counter-clockwise movement of the endless chains 26.

. Continued rearward movement of the sweeper 25 clears the alley and adjacent gutters of all pins and balls lying thereon, sweeping them into the pit and onto the rotating turntable D, where they are distributed respectively to thepin elevator. E1 and. ball elevator E2. Sweeper-25 continuesnrearwardly untiLit. reaches the sprockets 12 when it ismoved on its return cycle ontotheupper tracks 10b. When thecarn 42 passes the switch 45 it closes the circuit which includes the limit switch indicated.at-5.4,.thereby settingthe tube motor. M5 in operation, to lower the tubes T and to lay a new set of bowling pins in proper position on the pin plate A1 of the alley A. At the same time switch 48 isactuated to stop operation of the motor M6 and to stop the movement of the sweeper 25.

We claim:

1. In a bowling. pin-setting machine, a sweeper niechanism, comprising; twoendless chains guided on spaced sprockets and providing an endless circuit running rearwardly and-forwardlyof: saidmachine, saidchains being mounted in parallel relation on opposite sides of said machine, two sets of tracks mounted on opposite sides of said machine, each set being in operating relation with one of said endless chains, each set of tracks comprising two spaced track elements defining rearward and forward traverses of the machine respectively, axle means carried on each of said chains, a carriage swivelly mounted on each of said axle means and traveling on said two track elements successively, a'sweeper supported by said carriages for. sweeping the alley free of bowling pins on the rearward traverseof said endless circuit, saidsweeper returning to a starting position on the forward traverse of. its endless circuit, and power means for driving said chains in one direction in said endless circuit.

2. A sweeper mechanism in accordance with claim 1, in. which the axle means includes a horizontally extending pin.

3. A sweeper mechanism in accordance with claim 1 in which the carriage includes a hollow member pivotally mounted on said axle means and a roller rotatably mounted on said carriage for engaging said track elements while traveling in rearward and forward traverse thereon.

4. A sweeper mechanism in accordance with claim 1 in:which said sweeper includes a pair of vertically depending arms supported by said carriage and carrying a fixed cross member connecting said arms adjacent their lower ends and a vertically movable cross member mounted beneath said fixed. cross member.

5. A sweeper mechanism in accordance with claim 1 in which each set of tracks follow a horizontalpath for a portion of their traverse, and an angularly extending path for. another portion of their traverse.

6. A sweeper mechanism according to claim I, including means connecting. said carriage and sweeper limiting swinging movement of the sweeper forwardly away from the pit. V

7. In a bowling pin-setting machine having an automatic pin-setting mechanism, a sweeper mechanism cornprising two endless chains guided on spaced sprockets and providing an endless circuit running rearwardly and forwardly of said machine, said chains being mounted in parallel relation on opposite sides of said machine, two sets of tracks mounted on opposite sides of said machine, each set being inoperating relation with one. of said endless chains, eachset of tracks comprising two spaced track elements defining rearward and forward traverses of the machine respectively, axle means carried on each of said chains, acarriage swivelly mounted on each of said axle means and traveling on said two track elements successively, a sweeper supported by said carriages for sweeping the alley free of bowling pins on the rearward traverse of said'endless circuit, said sweeper in one direction in said endless circuit, a manually operated switch for starting the power means, a switch operated by the sweeper on its return traverse for actuating the pin-setting mechanism, and a switch automatically stopping the power means on completion of the sweeper cye e.

8. In a bowling pin-setting machine, a sweeper mechanism, comprising two endless chains guided on spaced sprockets and providing. an endless circuit running rearwardly and forwardly of said machine, said chains being mounted in parallel relation on opposite sides of said machine, two sets of. tracks mounted on'opposite sides of said machine, each set being in operating relation with one of said endless chains, each set of tracks comprising.

two spaced upper: and lower track elements, the lower element defining a rearward traverse of the machineand. the upper element azforward'traverse of the. machine, axle means carried on each ofsaid chains, a carriage. swivelly.

mounted on each of said axle means and traveling on said upper and lower track elements successively on its rearward and forward traverse rspectively, a sweeper supported by said carriages for sweeping the alley free of bowling pins on the rearward traverse of said endless circuit, and returning to a starting position on the forward traverse of said endless circuit, and power means for driving said Chains in one direction in said endless circuit.

9. In a bowling pin-setting machine, a sweeper mechanism comprising a first pair of parallel upper and lower tracks running along one side of said machine, a second pair of upper and lower tracks running along the opposite side of said machine, first and second supporting carriages in riding engagement with said first and second pairs of tracks respectively, a sweeper, means suspending said sweeper from said first and second carriages, a first endless chain secured to said first carriage, a second endless chain secured to said second carriage, sprocket means supporting said first and second chains, said chains and said sprockets cooperating to provide identical endless circuits of movement for said first and second carriages along said first and second pairs of tracks respectively, and drive means for unidirectionally moving said chains to cause said carria es to move rearwardly along said lower tracks and forwardly along said upper tracks, said sweeper being in sweeping position as said carriages move along said lower tracks, whereby to sweep pins from the alley.

10. In a bowling pin-setting machine, a sweeper mechanism comprising, first and second pairs of parallel vertically spaced tracks, said first and second pairs of tracks being supported on opposite sides of the machine, each of said tracks including a substantially horizontal section running longitudinally of the machine, a first endless chain, sprocket means supporting said first chain for movement in a circuit that includes a horizontal path over each horizontal section of said first pair of tracks and an upwardly extending path in front of each horizontal section of said first pair of tracks, a second endless chain, sprocket means supporting said second chain for movement in a circuit that includes a horizontal path over each horizontal section or said second pair of tracks and an upwardly extending path in front of each horizontal section of said second pair of tracks, first and second carriages connected to said first and second endless chains respectively and mounted for travel on said first and second pairs of tracks respectively, sweeper means carried by said first and second carriages, and drive means for imparting unidirectional movement to said first and second chains, said first and second chains being driven by said drive means rearwardly of the machine along their respective lower horizontal paths and forwardly of the machine along their respective upper horizontal paths, whereby said sweeper operates to sweep pins toward the rear of the machine as said carriages move along their lower horizontal paths.

11. In a bowling pin-setting machine, a sweeper mechanism comprising a first pair of parallel upper and lower tracks running along one side of said machine, a second pair of upper and lower tracks running along the opposite side of said mechanism, first and second supporting carriages in riding engagement with said first and second pairs of tracks respectively, a sweeper, means suspending said sweeper from said first and second carriages, a first endless chain secured to said first carriage, a second endless chain secured to said second carriage, sprocket means supporting said first and second chains, said chains and said sprockets cooperating to provide identical endless circuits of movement for said first and second carriages along said first and second pairs of tracks respectively, power means for unidirectionally moving said chains to cause said carriages to move rearwardly along said lower tracks and forwardly along said upper tracks, said sweeper being in sweeping position as said carriages move along said lower tracks, whereby to sweep pins in its path, a first manually operated switch for starting said power means, a second switch operative when actuated to stop said power means, and means carried by one of said chains for actuating said second switch to stop said power means on completion of the sweeper cycle.

12. In a bowling pin-setting machine, a sweeper mechanism comprising a first pair of spaced upper and lower substantially parallel tracks running along one side of said machine, a second pair of like tracks running along the opposite side of said mechanism, first and second spaced parallel endless chains, sprocket means mounting said first and second chains for endless movement in the vertical planes of said first and second pairs of tracks respectively, each of said chains carrying an outwardly extending axle, a carriage pivotally mounted on each axle provided with means for riding on one of said pairs of tracks, a pair of parallel arms secured at their bottom ends to a horizontal sweeper and connected at their upper ends to said carriages and means supported by said carriages and connected with said arms for limiting swinging movement of said arms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

